Portable power appliances



Sept. 18, 1962 B. T. ROMANEK PORTABLE POWER APPLIANCES Filed Dec. 9, 1960 0 0 a m H m m 3 INVENTOR.

United States Patent Ofifice 3,054,231 Patented Sept. 18, 19 62 3,054,231 PORTABLE POWER APPLIANCES Bernard T. Romanek, 3206 S. 49th Ave., Cicero, Ill. Filed Dec. 9, 1960, Ser. No. 74,966 3 Claims. (Cl. 51--166) My invention relates to power units or kits designed for use by those who are handy with tools or engage in experimental, model or hobby pursuits. Those who do not have the facility of a shop or bench with a power installation usually have only one power appliance-a pistol type electric drill-along with their hand tools, and lack the stability the shop installations offer for grinding, polishing, buifing or other operations for which a motor installation or the motor of the electric drill may be employed.

In view of th above situation, it is one object of the present invention to provide a handy appliance in which a stand is employed for the support of a portable power unit, such stand being designed for firm support on any table, shelf or other horizontal object.

A further object is to design the stand in a manner to support the power tool unit with a firm grip, and expose such tools as it may carry in positions of easy access.

Another object is to design the stand for fully supporting the power tool unit, so that ones hands need not be used for that purpose, and are free to handle or apply the work.

A further object is to incorporate a guard in the stand, in order to protect the motor and tools carried by the same from dust and falling objects.

A still further object is to build the stand with a base on which work or odd parts may be laid for use in connection with the power tool unit.

Another object is to provide an accessory which adapts the foot treadle of an electric sewing machine for use as a multi-speed control for the power tool unit when the applicance is placed on the sewing machine cabinet or near the same.

A still further object is to modify the novel appliance in a manner to be foldable into its own container, which may be carried like a valise.

An important object is to construct the appliance along lines of simplicity and stability.

With the above objects in view, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the main form of the appliance as mounted on an electric sewing machine;

FIG. 2 is a similar view of the modified appliance in the foldable form; and

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Primarily, the stand of the appliance is formed from one piece of heavy-gage sheet metal or suitable plastic material for the sake of simplicity, lightness and rigidity. Thus, specific reference to the drawing shows the base of the stand as a horizontal plate formed with downflanges 10a along the sides for receiving a sponge-rubber pad 12, in order to cushion and check the appliance against shifting when it is placed on a table or other horizontal support.

The back wall 13 of the stand is bent up from the base plate 10 with a forward incline. The Wall 13 is formed in front and over the middle of the base with a rounded top 15; and the latter is continued in downward direction in the center to form a pouch-like receptacle 17. The latter is tensionable to receive an electric appliance motor 20, or a pistol-type drill motor, with a snug fit, many such motors-like those for sewing machines-being flat on opposite sides for purposes of compactness, as shown.

The motor is made fast by screws 22 driven from the frontal side of the motor receptacle 17.

The illustrations show that the tools operated by the motor 20 are a grinder set 23; and it is understood that the wheels thereof may be changed for polishing, bufiing or other types of wheels. Whatever the tools may be, it is noted that the relatively narrow frontal portion of the stand leaves wide lateral zones of approach to the tools 23, while the back and top of the stand not only protect the tools from dust or interference by falling objects, but also serve as a shield for sparks, water spray or flying particles from work being ground or trimmed by a rotary saw or cutter.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electric cord 25 for the motor extends through a perforation in the top of the stand; and it may be plugged into a handy current outlet when the appliance is to be used. In such event a suitable knoboperated rheostat 27, illustrated in FIG. 2, could be incorporated in the front of the stand for controlling the speed of the motor. However, where a foot-controlled electric sewing machine is available, and the power unit mounted on the top 28 of its console 20, the treadle-type rheostat 31 may receive the plug of the electric cord 25 and the speed of the power tool unit controlled by foot, leaving the hands free for holding or maneuvering the work applied to the power tools.

It is now apparent that the novel appliance affords the use of various power tools wherever a table, shelf or other handy support is available, with the advantages of stability and the free use of the operator hands to hold or apply the work or for any other purpose. Further, the appliance is rigid by being made in one piece, light because its stand is of sheet material, and properly balanced by the centered position of its motor due to the inclination of the back portion of the stand. Being compact in design, the applicance may be stored in small space and set up for use as easily as a portable sewing machine.

The modified form of the appliance is designed to be foldable into very compact form and therefore be suitable for the use of service men, repair men and others who make various stops during their daily routine. FIG. 2 shows that the base of the stand has become the container 35 of a valise 36, while the back wall of the stand forms the top for the same. Side walls 38 from the container seat in grooves 39 of the back wall to hold the same up while the appliance is in use. However, the side walls are hinged at the bottom as shown at 40' to fold in--as indicated by curved arrowswhen the top is to be closed, spacers 41 extending from the side walls swinging in to form fillers in such event. When the top is closed the motor comes to rest over the folded side walls 38; and the customary valise fittings 42 are added to make the appliance complete and easily portable in the folded state. An appliance is thus had which makes many power tools available where space is limited, and which is light, easily portable, and relatively inexpensive to produce.

While I have described the invention and its modification along specific lines, various other changes or refinements may be made therein without departing from its principle, and I reserve the right to employ all such changes and refinements as may fall within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A portable power appliance comprising a stand of sheet material formed with a base, a back wall bent up from the base with a forward incline to form a rounded top, a downward continuation of the top in the form of a pouch, and a motor carried in the latter, said pouch 3,054,231 3 4 being situated over the center of the base for positioning References Cited in the file of this patent the motor as a balancing factor for the stand.

2. The structure of claim 1, said continuation being UNITED STATES PATENTS rounded in rearward direction to form the pouch, and 441,139 Crowell Nov. 25, 1890 the latter being tensionable to engage the motor reten- 5 2 423 32 Cardone at 1 J l 15 1947 yf 1 1 d 1 d 2,428,519 Gustafson Oct. 7, 1947 3. e structure 0 c aim an too parts exten ing from the sides of the motor, said continuation being re- FOREIGN PATENTS duced from the sides for access to said tool parts. 1 1,024,838 Germany Feb. 20, 1958 

